Blank and three-dimensional structure produced therefrom

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a blank ( 10 ) for producing a three-dimensional structure of paper, cardboard or plastic, in particular. The invention further relates to a three-dimensional structure produced from the blank, a folding box for storing goods, in particular a folding box made from cardboard, paper or the like as well as to a method for producing the blank ( 10 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a blank for producing a three-dimensional structure of paper, cardboard or plastic, in particular a packing or the like, including at least one folding surface for forming a rounded edge area of the three-dimensional structure in a folded state of the blank, wherein the folding surface is bounded by two lateral folding lines extending parallel to each other. Furthermore, the invention relates to a three-dimensional structure of paper, cardboard or plastic, to a folding box for storing goods, in particular folding box of cardboard, paper or the like, as well as to a method for producing a blank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such blanks, three-dimensional structures and folding boxes are known in a great plurality. Among other things, these blanks or three-dimensional structures and folding boxes, respectively, are flip packs, which represent a widely spread packing form for cigarettes and the like. Thus, DE 43 11 568 A1, EP 2 141 090 A1, DE 101 06 547 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,600 B1 and DE 600 28 078 T2 describe packings in the form of a prismatic body along their longitudinal axis, wherein a lid is hinged to a container-like receiving area. From WO 2012/123189 A1, folding boxes with rounded edge areas are known. The rounded edge areas are achieved by a plurality of cuts in these areas. A plurality of individual surfaces is generated by the cuts, which can overall be folded to a rounded edge area. However, this known packing is disadvantageous in that a plurality of cuts is required for forming the rounded edge areas. The preparation of corresponding punching tools is extremely time consuming and thereby expensive. Production by means of laser energy is also relatively time consuming and energy intensive due to the plurality of required cutting lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a generic blank for producing a three-dimensional structure of paper, cardboard or plastic, a corresponding three-dimensional structure, a corresponding folding box of paper, cardboard or plastic as well as a method for producing the mentioned blank, which can be simply, fast and inexpensively produced and performed, respectively.

A blank having the features of claim 1, a three-dimensional structure having the features of claim 9, a folding box having the features of claim 12 as well as a method having the features of claim 15 serve for solving these objects. Advantageous configurations with convenient developments of the invention are specified in the respective dependent claims, wherein advantageous configurations of the blank are to be regarded as advantageous configurations of the three-dimensional structure according to the invention and of the folding box according to the invention, respectively, as well as of the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a blank for producing a three-dimensional structure of paper, cardboard or plastic, in particular a packing or the like, including at least one folding surface for forming a rounded edge area of the three-dimensional structure in a folded state of the blank, wherein the folding surface is bounded by two lateral folding lines extending parallel to each other. According to the invention, at least one creasing line extending at an angle to the lateral folding lines is formed within the folding line. Surprisingly, it has turned out that a rounded edge area of the three-dimensional structure can already be generated by such a creasing line in a correspondingly folded state of the blank. Thereby, the expenditure of time for preparing corresponding punching or creasing tools for configuring this creasing line can be considerably reduced. In addition, considerably less laser energy has to be expended for producing the creasing line according to the invention and thereby for configuring rounded edge areas of for example packings, in particular cigarette packings, compared to known blanks. Known blanks for example have five to seven bending lines extending parallel to the folding lines laterally bounding the folding surface. By the configuration of the creasing line according to the invention within the folding surface, the number of the creasing lines can be considerably reduced. Besides corresponding cost savings, thus, the production speed can also be increased between 25 and 75% with respect to conventional blanks. Therein, the creasing lines for producing the rounded edge area can be formed as cutting lines, that is as cuts completely passing through the blank or the substrate of the blank or as so-called “half cuts”, that is line-shaped recesses not completely passing through the blank or the substrate of the blank. In addition, the creasing lines can be arranged on the inner side and/or the outer side of the blank or the blank in folded state, namely the thus arising folding box. Therein, the creasing lines and/or lateral folding lines are for example formed on the inner or outer side of the blank. However, it is also conceivable that different creasing and/or lateral folding lines can be arranged on different sides, i.e. a front and/or rear side of the blank, and thereby develop a particularly memorable pattern on the folding box in the folded state of the blank.

In a further advantageous configuration of the blank according to the invention, the lateral folding lines and the creasing line are produced by means of laser energy and/or punching. By an exclusive or at least partial use of laser energy for producing the blank, the corresponding elements of the blank can be very exactly and fast produced. In addition, changes in the configuration of individual elements can be particularly simply and fast performed without for example new punching or embossing tools having to be produced. In addition, the advantage arises by the present invention that less powerful or slower lasers can also be employed for producing the creasing lines according to the invention, whereby a considerable cost advantage arises in the production of the blank. Due to the creasing lines required considerably less compared to known blanks for forming a rounded edge area of the three-dimensional structure produced from the blank, a considerably higher manufacture and production speed still arises.

In further advantageous configurations of the blank according to the invention, the creasing line formed within the folding surface extends between a first end and/or corner area of the folding surface and a second end and/or corner area of the folding surface opposing the first end and/or corner area. However, it is also possible that the creasing line extends between a first end and/or corner area of the folding surface and an area spaced from a second end and/or corner area opposing the first end and/or corner area. In addition, there is the possibility that the creasing line is formed within the folding surface outside of a first end and/or corner area of the folding surface and outside of a second end and/or corner area of the folding surface opposing a first end and/or corner area. By the configuration of the creasing line according to the invention, very different extensions of the creasing line within the folding surface for final configuration of a rounded edge area of the three-dimensional structure are conceivable. Thereby, corresponding design specifications can also be readily satisfied.

In further advantageous configurations of the blank according to the invention, at least one end of the creasing line intersects or adjoins to a corresponding lateral folding line of the folding surface. Here too, the configuration of the creasing line within the folding surface can satisfy corresponding production and/or design specifications.

In further advantageous configurations of the blank according to the invention, the folding surface is divided into at least two partial areas by means of the at least one creasing line, wherein the partial areas are each triangularly formed. By the triangular shape of the partial areas, particularly advantageously configured roundings arise in the folded state of the blank. Therein, further creasing lines can be formed in at least one of the partial areas such that further, in particular finer, rounding structures can be formed in these areas.

In further advantageous configurations of the blank according to the invention, the creasing line is formed straight, bent, wave-like, meandering, step-like or of corresponding combinations thereof In addition, the creasing line can be formed as a creasing line continuous or discontinuous between the lateral folding lines. Thereby, a plurality of design requirements can again be advantageously satisfied.

A second aspect of the present invention relates to a three-dimensional structure of paper, cardboard or plastic, which is produced by folding and/or adhering a blank as it has been described above. The possibilities of configuration and advantages of a three-dimensional structure thus produced result from the possibilities of configuration and advantages of the described blank according to the invention according to the first inventive aspect also described above. Therein, the three-dimensional structure can be configured as a packing, in particular as a packing for storing cigarettes.

A third aspect of the present invention relates to a folding box for storing goods, in particular a folding box of cardboard, paper or the like, wherein the folding box includes at least one front wall, at least one rear wall and at least each one first and second sidewall for connecting the front and rear wall as well as a bottom construction for bottom-side closure of the folding box and multiple folding surfaces for forming each one rounded edge area of the folding box. Therein, at least one folding surface is bounded by lateral folding lines according to the invention, wherein at least one creasing line extending at an angle to the lateral folding lines is formed within the folding surface. Such a folding box can be considerably more inexpensively produced compared to known folding boxes with rounded edge areas, since for configuring the rounded edge areas of the folding box, only one or at least one creasing line formed in the corresponding folding surface respectively has to be present. Both in mechanical production by punching, creasing or embossing and in using laser energy for producing the creasing line, considerable time and cost advantages arise.

In further advantageous configurations of the folding box according to the invention, at least one end of the creasing line intersects or adjoins to a corresponding lateral folding line of the folding surface. In addition, the creasing line can be formed as a creasing line continuous or discontinuous between the lateral folding lines. With these configurations of the creasing line within the folding surface too, rounded edge areas of the folding box can be simply and inexpensively produced. In addition, very different design requirements to these areas of the folding box can be readily met. In addition, the creasing lines can be arranged on the inner side and/or the outer side of the folding box. Therein, all of the creasing lines and/or lateral folding lines are for example formed on the inner or outer side of the folding box. However, it is also conceivable that different creasing and/or lateral folding lines can be arranged on different sides, i.e. on the inner and/or rear side of the folding box, and thereby develop a particularly memorable pattern on the folding box.

Further features and the advantages thereof are apparent from the description of the first and the second inventive aspect, wherein advantageous configurations of the first and the second inventive aspect are to be regarded as advantageous configurations of the third inventive aspect and vice versa.

A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a blank as it has been described above. Therein, an outer contour of the blank and/or folding lines and/or cutting lines and/or an inner contour of the blank and/or creasing lines can be produced by means of laser energy according to the invention. By the exclusive or at least partial use of laser energy for producing the blank, the corresponding elements of the blank can be very exactly and fast produced. In addition, changes in the configuration of individual elements can be particularly simply and fast performed without for example new punching or embossing tools having to be produced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further advantages, features and details of the invention are apparent from the following description of two embodiments as well as based on the drawings. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of figures and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the respectively specified combination, but also in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a blank according to the invention according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a blank according to the invention according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a blank 10 for producing a three-dimensional structure of cardboard. Therein, the three-dimensional structure is a packing, in particular a folding box. Therein, the blank includes wall and bottom elements 12, 14, 16, 26, 28, 30, 32 connected via folding surfaces 50, 52, 54, 56 and folding lines 82, 84 for forming at least one container-like receiving area in the folded state of the blank 10 (not illustrated). Furthermore, one recognizes that the rear wall 16 is connected to a first lid wall 22 via a bending line 86, the first lid wall 22 is connected to a second lid wall 18 via a bending line 88 and the second lid wall 18 is connected to a third lid wall 20 via a third bending line 90 for forming a closure cap 92 in the folded state of the blank 10 (not illustrated). In addition, the first lid wall 22 is connected to lid sidewalls 34, 36 via the folding surfaces 54, 56. The third lid wall 20 is connected to further lid sidewalls 38, 40 via folding edges 58, 58′. In addition, adhesive flaps 46, 48 are formed on the lid sidewalls 34, 36 via bending lines 94, 96, which abut on and are adhered to an inner side of the second lid wall 18 in the folded state of the blank 10. The third lid wall 20 additionally has a bending line 92′ on the side opposing the second lid wall 18, via which it is connected to a further adhesive flap 24.

One recognizes that the folding surfaces 50, 52 are bounded by lateral folding lines 60, 62, 64, 66. Therein, two creasing lines 70, 72 are formed within the folding surface 50, which each extend at an angle to the lateral folding lines 60, 62. Therein, the creasing line 70 extends between a first end and/or corner area 120 of the folding surface 50 and an area, which is spaced from a second end and/or corner area 122 opposing the first end and/or corner area 120. This area is situated on the lateral folding line 60. Therein, the creasing line 70 intersects or adjoins to the folding line 60. In contrast, the second creasing line 72 formed in the folding surface 50 extends from the second end and/or corner area 122 towards the intersection of the first creasing line 70 with the lateral folding line 60 and adjoins to the corresponding end of the first creasing line 70. By this configuration of the creasing lines 70, 72, three partial areas 106, 108, 110 arise within the folding surface 50. The partial areas are each triangularly formed and result in a rounded edge area with folded blank 10. In the folding surface 52 also adjoining to the front wall 12, only one creasing line 68 is formed. It extends between the first end and/or corner area 120 of the folding surface 52 and the correspondingly opposing second end and/or corner area 122 of the folding surface 52. By this configuration, two also triangularly formed partial surfaces 102, 104 arise within the folding surface 52. By means of these triangular partial areas 102, 104, a rounded edge area between the front wall 12 and the sidewall 28 arises again in the folded state of the blank 10.

Furthermore, one recognizes that the further folding surfaces 54, 56, 58, 58′, which also result in rounded edge areas in the folded state of the blank 10, are formed by a plurality of creasing lines 74, 76, 78, 80 extending parallel to the corresponding lateral folding lines 112, 114, 116, 118. Such a configuration of the folding surfaces 54, 56, 58, 58′ is known from the prior art. One recognizes that the configuration of the folding and rounding surfaces 54, 56, 58, 58′, respectively, considerably differs from those of the folding surfaces 50, 52.

Furthermore, one recognizes that the creasing lines 68, 70, 72 are formed straight and as lines continuous between the lateral folding lines 60, 62, 64, 66. However, other possibilities of configuration of the creasing lines 68, 70, 72 are also conceivable.

Furthermore, one recognizes that the folding surfaces 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 58′ each form a rounded folding area between the respective wall and bottom elements 12, 16, 22, 20 and the abutting sidewalls 26, 28, 30, 32 as well as the lid sidewalls 34, 36, 38, 40 in the folded state of the blank 10. In addition, the corners of the bottom element 14 and the second lid wall 18 are formed rounded such that the shape of these two elements adapts to the shape of the folding surfaces in the folded state of the blank 10.

Furthermore, it becomes clear that the sidewalls 30, 32 have adhesive flaps 46, 48 hinged via corresponding bending lines 98, 100, wherein the adhesive flaps 46, 48 are adhered to an inner surface of the bottom element 14 in the folded state of the blank 10 (not illustrated). On the ends of the sidewalls 30, 32 opposing the adhesive flaps 46, 48, they are separated from the lid sidewalls 34, 36 via corresponding cutting lines. Therein, the cutting lines extend up to the respective starting point of the bending line 86, which is formed between the rear wall 16 and the first lid wall 22. The adhesive flaps 46, 48 serve for forming a bottom construction 90 in the folded state of the blank 10 in cooperation with the bottom element 14.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the blank 10. One recognizes that this second form of configuration is nearly identical to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, such that reference is made to the description of FIG. 1 in the description of figure. In contrast to the first embodiment, the blank 10 according to the second embodiment has another configuration of the folding surfaces 50, 52. One recognizes that the folding surfaces 50, 52, which again form rounded edge areas in the folded state of the blank 10, first have two creasing lines 70, 72 extending within the folding surfaces 50, 52 at an angle to the lateral folding lines 60, 62, 64, 66. Therein, the creasing lines 70, 72 intersect in a point located on the lateral folding lines 60, 64. This intersection is arranged in a central area of the folding surfaces 50, 52. By this arrangement of the creasing lines 70, 72, three partial areas 106, 108, 110 again arise within the folding surfaces 50, 52. Therein, the partial areas 106, 108, 110 are triangularly formed. In contrast to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, further creasing lines 124 are formed within two partial areas 106, 110. Therein, the creasing lines 124 extend parallel to the lateral folding lines 60, 62, 64, 66. By the configuration of these further creasing lines 124, a particularly distinct and fine rounding structure arises. In contrast, the further partial area 108 does not have further creasing lines such that this embodiment too can be more inexpensively and faster produced compared to known blanks with rounded edge areas.

The described blanks 10 for producing three-dimensional structures and folding boxes, respectively, are usually constituted of cardboard, paper or plastic. Other suitable materials are also conceivable. The blanks 10 can be produced by punching and/or by means of laser energy. Other suitable production methods are also conceivable. 

1. A blank for producing a three-dimensional structure of paper, cardboard or plastic, in particular a packing or the like, including at least one folding surface for forming a rounded edge area of the three-dimensional structure in a folded state of the blank, wherein the folding surface is bounded by two lateral folding lines extending parallel to each other, and wherein at least one creasing line extending at an angle to the lateral folding lines is formed within the folding surface.
 2. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the lateral folding lines and the creasing line are produced by means of laser energy and/or punching.
 3. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the creasing line extends between a first end and/or corner area of the folding surface and a second end and/or corner area of the folding surface opposing the first end and/or corner area.
 4. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the creasing line is formed within the folding surface outside of a first end and/or corner area of the folding surface and outside of a second end and/or corner area of the folding surface opposing the first end and/or corner area.
 5. The blank according to claim 1, wherein at least one end of the creasing line intersects or adjoins to a corresponding lateral folding line of the folding surface.
 6. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the folding surface is divided into at least two partial areas by means of the at least one creasing line, wherein the partial areas are each triangularly formed.
 7. The blank according to claim 6, wherein further creasing lines are formed in at least one partial area.
 8. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the creasing line is formed straight, bent, wave-like, meandering, step-like or combinations thereof.
 9. The blank according to claim 1, wherein any one of the creasing line is formed as a creasing line continuous or discontinuous between the lateral folding lines.
 10. A three-dimensional structure of paper, cardboard or plastic, which is produced by folding and/or adhering a blank according to claim
 1. 11. The three-dimensional structure according to claim 10, wherein the three-dimensional structure is a packing, in particular a packing for storing cigarettes.
 12. A folding box for storing goods, in particular a folding box of cardboard, paper or the like, including at least one front wall, at least one rear wall and at least a first sidewall and a second sidewall for connecting the front wall and the rear wall, a bottom construction for bottom-side closure of the folding box, and multiple folding surfaces for forming each one rounded edge area of the folding box, wherein at least one folding surface is bounded by lateral folding lines and at least one creasing line extending at an angle to the lateral folding lines is formed within the folding surface.
 13. The folding box according to claim 12, wherein at least one end of the creasing line intersects or adjoins to a corresponding lateral folding line of the folding surface.
 14. The folding box according to claim 12, wherein the creasing line is formed as a creasing line continuous or discontinuous between the lateral folding lines.
 15. A method for producing a blank according to claim 1, wherein an outer contour of the blank and/or the folding lines and/or cutting lines and/or an inner contour of the blank and/or creasing lines are produced by means of laser energy.
 16. The blank according to claim 1, wherein the at least one creasing line extends between a first end and/or corner area of the folding surface and an area, which is spaced from a second end and/or corner area opposing the first end and/or corner area. 